Cartagena Bay Paddleboarding & Sunset Lights Night

Summary

Evening Paddleboard Ride with Neon Lights in Cartagena

Step onto an LED-lit paddleboard in Cartagena Bay as sunset colors fade into night. With a local guide showing you how (no experience needed), you’ll glide over glowing water, spot fish darting below, and catch city lights flickering behind you—a feeling you’ll remember long after leaving Colombia.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was how the sky over Cartagena Bay looked almost bruised — purple and orange, with that sticky Caribbean heat still hanging around even as the sun started to drop. We met our guide, Andrés, right by the water. He handed me a paddleboard (lighter than I expected) and grinned when I admitted I’d never tried this before. “No worries,” he said, “just keep your knees soft.” The boards had these wild neon lights underneath — not something I ever thought I’d see outside of a nightclub, honestly.

I wobbled at first (okay, more than once), but Andrés kept close and shouted little tips over the splashy sounds. The lights under my board made this weird glowing circle in the water — fish darted through it, silver flashes in the blue-green. At one point, a breeze picked up and I caught this salty smell mixed with fried plantains drifting from somewhere along the shore. There were other folks out too: a couple from Bogotá who laughed every time they fell in, and a kid who kept trying to race everyone. It felt loose and kind of silly in a good way.

We paddled out just as the sun slipped behind the old city walls. For a second everything went quiet except for our paddles tapping the surface — then someone started humming a song I didn’t know. The city lights flickered on behind us, but all I could really see was that weird underwater glow moving with us across the bay. It’s hard to explain — you feel like you’re floating inside your own little lantern. I still think about that view sometimes when things get noisy back home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sunset Paddleboard Tour

• Paddleboarding with LED lights

Top questions

Do I need paddleboarding experience for this Cartagena tour?

No experience is necessary; your instructor stays with the group and gives basic instructions throughout.

Are children allowed on the LED paddleboard tour?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; minimum age is 7 years.

What’s included in the Cartagena paddleboard night activity?

Paddleboard and all gear are provided for each participant.

Is this evening paddleboard tour suitable for all fitness levels?

It’s suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with poor cardiovascular health.

Will refunds be given if my cruise ship arrives late?

No refunds are issued if you miss the tour due to late or non-arrival of your cruise ship.

What’s included

Your evening includes all paddleboarding equipment—LED-lit board and gear—and guidance from a local instructor who stays nearby throughout your time on Cartagena Bay.